It had been a week since mark had came to the house and Addison was getting worse, rapidly. She was unable to stand without help and could barely walk. Her life was slipping away. Meredith was back at work, but spending her spare time caring for Addison. They had become close, almost like best friends. Meredith gad tried to resist the friendship, knowing what was going to happen but she realised that even though she knew what was going to happen, she couldn't let that stop what was happening. Alex was over every day, helping to move Addison, making sure she wasn't in pain, giving Meredith some time with Derek. Derek was putting on a brave face for Addison. The rate at which she was progressing she didn't have weeks, she had days. Derek had taken a leave of absence from the hospital to stay with Addison, to care for her, talk to her, keep her active but with everyday each task became more like a mountain to climb for Addison.

'Derek,'

'Yeah,'

'I want to go to the trailer, one last time,' Derek looked up from the table at Addison.

'Please, just one last time,' Derek nodded and told Alex where he was going. Slipping Addison's jacket on he carried her out to the car. She seemed contented, like she didn't have a care in the world. Pulling into the plot of land she smiled. Derek lifted her out the car over to the space where the trailer used to be. She looked around, like she had lost something. Derek put her down and helped her over to the side of the water. She could see her reflection in the water and it frightened her. She was a shadow of her former self, her hair scraped back, her face long and gaunt. Sitting down on the grass Derek sat beside her.

'There's something's you need to know before I go,'

'Addison, please, not now,' Derek threw pieces of grass into the water.

'Derek, I know as well as you do that I don't have long. I don't want to go knowing that I didn't say these things or sort anything out,' Derek looked over at her as she took his hand.

'You're an amazing guy Derek and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Meredith is one of life's precious jewels that you meet only once. She took in her boyfriends ex wife. That took a hell of a lot of courage and self control. We have become really close and I want to know that you'll look after her, no matter what happens?'

'I will,'

'Please don't loose faith. It's one of the things in life was have that is hard to keep. Remember that things happen for a reason. I'm meant to go now, not in a year's time, now. You need to remember that to stay sane,' Addison chuckled to herself.

'I don't want my funeral to be sad and depressing. Make sure people smile at least once but don't make it cheesy. Don't tell anyone the state I'm in, even if they ask, you say nothing. I want to go down with the little dignity I've got left. I'll always keep a look out for you. I'll be right by your side always. You ever feel alone, remember that I'm right beside you. But if you do anything stupid I'll slap the back of your head,' Derek was sitting, the tears falling silently.

'Remember me. Don't forget about me, please. I still love you Derek and wouldn't want that to be forgotten. Promise me you won't forget me,'

'I promise,'

'Always?'

'Always,' Addison pulled Derek over to her chest and hugged him.

'I'll always be with you, no matter what happens,' they sat in silence, just looking out over the still waters, neither one of them wanting it to end.

'We should get back, everyone will be worrying about us,' Derek picked Addison up and carried her to the car. He didn't know what to say. Addison sat in the front of the car and watched as Derek shut off from the world. He didn't say anything else until he laid her down on the bed.

'Promise's promises'

'Always always,' Derek kissed her head and left her on her own, to think about what had just happened. Meredith was down in the kitchen, tidying up.

'How's Addison?' Derek didn't answer her. Walking over she lifted his head with her hand. He looked her in the eyes and all she could see was pain and suffering. Pulling him into her chest she kissed his head.

'It's ok,' Derek began sobbing. He didn't want Addison to go but he knew it was coming. Meredith led him up the stairs into Addison's bedroom. She was lying in bed, her eyes becoming heavy. Derek and Meredith sat on the ends of the bed and watched as Addison tried to turn on her back.

'Remember What I said Derek, one of life's jewels,' Derek nodded. Addison held her arm out to Meredith. Pulling her down she whispered in her ear.

'Look after him for me,'

'Of course,'

'Always be true to your heart, never let anyone take you somewhere your heart doesn't want to go,' Addison kissed Meredith cheek and squeezed her hand. Sitting down next to Derek, tears began to form in Meredith's eyes. Standing up she shouted on Alex, Izzie and George. They all came and stood at the door. Alex was holding Izzie, George holding Meredith. Derek was up holding Addison in his arms when the grasp on his hand loosened. Looking up at Meredith she took a sharp breath in.

'Addison,' Derek looked down in disbelief. Meredith walked over and moved Addison's hair out her face.

'Derek, look at me,' He raised his head, the tears dampening his shirt.

'She's gone,' Derek pulled Addison closer into his chest and wouldn't let her go. Izzie and George left, Alex waited to see If Meredith needed anything.

'Alex can you get me the phone,' Alex nodded and came back holding the portable phone.

'Stay with him, shout of he needs anything,' Meredith brushed past Alex, trying to fight the tears.

'Is Chief there?'

'Yes, I'll just get him,'

'Richard Webber,'

'Chief, get bailey and come round to the house,'

'Meredith, what's happened?'

'I'll let you know when you get here,' Meredith hung the phone up and sat on her bed. She couldn't fight them any longer. George was standing in her door way, watching her. Walking over he pulled her to her feet and hugged her.

'I can't believe she's gone,' George stood holding Meredith for twenty minutes when the front door went. Meredith wiped her face and headed down to answer the door.

'Where is she?' Bailey looked like she had been hit by a bus.

'Follow me,' Meredith led them into the living room where they sat in an uncomfortable silence.

'Grey, where is Addison?' Bailey was beginning to get stressed.

'She's gone,' Meredith's voice was nothing more than a whisper but it was enough for Bailey. Running up the stairs she pushed Addison's door open.

'My god,' Signalling to Alex to leave she walked over to Derek and lifted Addison away from him. Pulling him to his feet, she watched as the usually non emotional man broke down onto a heap on the floor. Coming down to his level she wrapped her arms around him.

'She's really left,' Derek's sobs could be heard from the living room and Meredith couldn't stand it any longer. Walking into the room she stood horrified at the sight of Derek. Bailey moved out of the way as she held him in against her. Bailey walked over and gently kissed Addison on the head.

'Goodbye Addison,'